10 things to do for $10 this weekend (6 free!), November 30-December 2

Even if you are rolling in dough, you won't need to spend much of it in order to eat pancakes and see art tonight. That's just one of the bargain entertainment options this weekend; others include seeing Santa and the Grinch duke it out for a wrestling title. Here are ten events that each cost less than $10 -- and more than half of them are completely free!

For a full listing of events, visit the Westword calendar, and if you know of other fun bargains this weekend, share them in the comments section below.

Breakfast and booze are like a winning pair, particularly when combined with art, live DJs, music and body painting. Drink and enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake bar -- and hope the combo stays down when you start dancing.

Closing Reception: Swarm by Emi Brady at Gildar Gallery (Friday, free) Tonight is your last chance to catch artist Emi Brady's expansive avian installation at Gildar Gallery. Using printmaking techniques, Brady created an exhibit that features manufactured birds flying all over the gallery. The closing reception will include a performance by local music hero Ian Cooke that will bid the birds goodbye with lovely cello music.

The Perfect Gift at Dangerous Theatre (Friday-Sunday, $10) It's a real treat to see live theater for only $10, so be sure to take advantage of this deal and catch Dangerous Theatre's The Perfect Gift when it opens this weekend. Described as It's A Wonderful Life meets A Christmas Carol, the play follows a woman who is a bit of a Scrooge as she gets into the holiday spirit when she has dinner with a homeless man. The show is sure to be a change of pace from the traditional holiday theater fare -- and not just because you can see it for spare change.

Fresh City Life Holiday Open House at the Denver Central Library (Saturday, free) Get into the holiday spirit today at Fresh City Life's Holiday Open House, which will feature discounted crafting supplies as well as button makers so that you can make festive buttons for your jacket. There will be spiced apple cider to flavor the festivities, and you can also buy yarn to create handmade presents this season.

Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens (Friday-Sunday, $10) If you're counting your pennies, visit the Denver Botanic Gardens' annual light show before December 14, when tickets go up to $12. Right now, just $10 will get you admission to this winter wonderland with over a million bulbs -- lights, not plants -- around the gardens. You can even look at them in 3D with the special HoloSpex glasses that come with the tour. Get a drink from Twinkle, Twinkle Little Bar and take in the holiday magic. For a full listing of light displays around town, check out our round-up.

Free Day at the Denver Art Museum (Saturday, free) It's the first Saturday of the month, which means admission to the Denver Art Museum is free all day. Though that won't include admission to Becoming Van Gogh, you can catch all many other interesting exhibits, including Theodore Waddell's Abstract Angus, which ends on Sunday.

The Heart Felt Locals Holiday Market at the Thomas Bean Towers (Saturday-Sunday, free) Instead of hitting the mall, spend your holiday cash supporting local designers at Urban Cipher's holiday market today. Shop for gifts like jewelry and art as well as food and wellness services, and feel good about putting your dollars back into the community rather than feeding the corporate machine.

Pamela Z at the Atlas Black Box Theatre (Saturday, free) San Francisco multimedia artist Pamela Z will be doing a residency at the University of Colorado Boulder, and this is your chance to see her perform at no cost. The touring artist will be joining the Boulder Laptop Orchestra for a performance that will include visuals, acting, and sound for a one-of-a-kind collaboration.

MT/TIME at Counterpath (Sunday, free) The second installment of Counterpath Press' series MT/TIME will continue tonight with a series of short films that relate to language and the written word. Curated by Jeanne Liotta, the night will include videos of everything from spoken word poetry to animation.

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Xtreme Xmas 3 at Werth Manor Event Center (Sunday, $5) Nothing says holiday spirit more than sweaty people fighting. Head out to Commerce City for a Primos Christmas-themed wrestling show where Santa and the Grinch will duke it out. There will also be other matches, as well as prize giveaways. And in the spirit of giving, tickets are half-price. Go, Santa!